The Senior Citizens' Advisory Council acts as a voice for the senior citizens of Bocholt. It represents the interests of older residents and advocates on their behalf. The full members are: Edeltraud Chrysanthou (Chair), Klemens Barde (Deputy Chair), Veronika Kampshoff, Andreas Heitkamp, Dr Michael Adam, Rainer Hardes, Abdulkadir Kis, Leo Marsching.

The associate members are:
Rolf Oechtering, Gabriele Theling, Michaela Schneider, Gabriele Rehbold, Gabriela Lavric, Dr Dimitri Macheras.

Panel discussion "Arriving in Bocholt" on 16 September 2026 - 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm at the Historic Town Hall

Everyone has their own story. We're interested in them and love to listen.

Event details:

Residents of Bocholt will take part in a discussion to share their experiences of moving to Bocholt from other parts of Germany or from abroad. Visitors to the event will also have the opportunity to share their own experiences.

Time for a chat

With refreshing drinks on offer, there will be plenty of time for personal conversations and socialising.

Flyer 16 September 2026 Round-table discussion: Settling in Bocholt

A meeting with Mayor Christian Mangen

"The Mayor meets the new members of the Senior Citizens' Advisory Council".

At the Senior Citizens' Advisory Council's last public meeting on Thursday, 11 June 2026, an in-depth and constructive discussion took place with Mayor Christian Mangen.

At the start, the members of the Senior Citizens' Advisory Council briefly introduced themselves to the mayor and outlined their expectations and objectives for the new term of office. The mayor also took the opportunity to introduce himself personally. He then answered the members' questions in detail and addressed the issues raised comprehensively.

Visit by the Senior Citizens' Advisory Council from Bocholt, Belgium

"It was a lovely day of exchange with our twin town in Belgium".

On 27 May 2026, the town of Bocholt welcomed the Senior Citizens' Advisory Council from Bocholt in Belgium for a day visit. After a bus journey of around two and a half hours, the delegation arrived in their German twin town at around 10 am.

The guests were welcomed at the LernWerk by Mayor Christian Mangen, the Chair of the Senior Citizens' Advisory Council, Edeltraud Chrysanthou, and other members of the Bocholt Senior Citizens' Advisory Council. In a warm and friendly atmosphere, a shared breakfast provided an opportunity for initial discussions and personal exchanges.

Afterwards, the visitors were given a guided tour, providing them with an insight into the LernWerk and its wide range of activities. A short walk around the Kubaai site also gave them a sense of the urban development and the special atmosphere of this neighbourhood.

Lunch together at the Europahaus provided a further convivial setting for these friendly encounters. The cultural highlight of the day was ultimately the tour of the Textilwerk, which impressively brings the region's textile history to life.

Before the guests set off on their return journey to the Belgian twin town in the afternoon, there was still time for a stroll through Bocholt town centre, whose charm and hospitality will remain a pleasant memory for the visitors.

On 8 October 2025, the new Senior Citizens' Advisory Council was elected at the Lernwerk Bocholt. Following the counting of the votes, the new Advisory Council, comprising 21 members, has been finalised: the Chair is Edeltraud Chrysanthou, and the Deputy Chair is Klemens Barde. Other members are Dr Michael Adam, Rolf Oechtering, Michaela Schneider, Dimitrios Macheras, Gabriele Theling, Veronika Kampshoff, Abdulkadir Kis, Hedwig Bruckmann, Leo Marsching, Sabine Kremer, Gabriela Lavric, Rainer Hardes, Marita Degeling, Werner Marschall, Beate Feldkamp, Gabriele Rehbold, Andreas Heitkamp, Doris Menker and Pierre Zibell. (City of Bocholt)

Edeltraud Chrysanthou (on the right in the photo) was elected as the new chairperson at the meeting of the Senior Citizens' Advisory Council on 8 October 2025.